Want to win a Sponsor? There are 3 things you need to do:

1. Identify the right Sponsor Candidate
   
2. Build a Sponsorship Relationship
   
3. Hold a Sponsorship Conversation
   

These 3 steps form what we call inside BE THE FIRST, the Sponsorship Triad, and they form a simple actionable process for getting the right support from the right people to guarantee you achieve your progression goal.

In last week's episode of Legal Imposters I introduced you to part 3 of the Sponsorship Triad: the Sponsorship Conversation. In it I gave you an actionable framework for getting a potential sponsor to commit to advocating on your behalf.

This week we're talking about the step before: the Sponsorship Relationship - what it is and why it's absolutely critical to the Sponsor winning process. (I also explain why I tackled part 3 first, before coming to this part 2)

In addition to walking you through the 3 simple steps to winning a sponsor, here's what you'll learn:

• The no.1 objective when building a Sponsorship Relationship
• 3 scenarios where building the Sponsorship Relationship is the answer
• 9 ways to win over a potential sponsor
• 3 ways you get stuck trying to win a sponsor (and what to do instead)
• 3 trust-building essentials every Sponsorship Relationship depends on
• 5 commitments to ask of your Sponsor

Happy listening.

P.S. If you're a mid to senior level black lawyer and you want to progress in the next 6-12 months, join BE THE FIRST and start prioritising this sponsorship work now. Enrolment for the January 2026 class opens in December so now's the time to get ready. For more details on what the programme is, who it's for and why it's the no.1 solution for navigating the challenges of being a black lawyer, click here.